The Florida grapefruit was first mentioned in the written records of Griffith Hughes in 1750 as the “forbidden fruit of Barbados. In 1789, the Revered Patrick Browne reported that he found it growing naturally in parts of Jamaica, and the fruit was virtually ignored until 1823, when Count Odette Philippe brought grapefruit seedlings from the Bahamas to a harbor near Tampa Florida.   Most people predicted at the time that the grapefruit would never survive the climate of Florida which, although Mediterranean and warm, still has greater temperature fluctuations from that of the Bahamas. Luckily, this prediction proved to be wrong, and the fruit flourished in Florida’s natural sandy soil. Initially, the Florida grapefruit was considered a novelty planting, much like an attractive flower or a topiary bush.  The first grapefruit nursery for commercial purposes was planted in 1870 by John A MacDonald, who later sold the first grove to George W. Bowen, who combined this grove with the groves from other nurseries and planned a commercial distribution. Soon, cases of Florida grapefruit were being shipped almost as fast as they could be planted, and by 1910, the United States was exporting nearly 1,000,000 cases of grapefruits and in 1945, a whopping 2,285,000 tons of grapefruit was produced commercially.  Due to its myriad of health benefits, and the popularity of the “Grapefruit Diet” this fruit, which was not recognized as a fruit of its own until 1945, has become a staple of a healthy diet for millions of people world wide. Florida grapefruits, in particular, are recognized for their hardiness and distinct, ripe flavor.  As a gift, Florida grapefruits are perfect for the health conscious, the hard-to-please, and anyone who appreciates the natural goodness of citrus fruit.  When you visit the Hale Groves website, you will be able to see why we are the premier fruit shippers in the industry. Our selection is always abundant and fresh, and our Florida grapefruits and other citrus arrive fresh to your door, eliminating the hassle of gift giving the traditional way, i.e. long lines and holiday shopping crowds, and allowing you to complete your shopping more quickly and better, than ever before.  Don’t take our word for it though. Peruse our available holiday gift baskets, Florida grapefruit and other citrus gift offerings and order a few for yourself or someone important in your life and experience the Hale Groves’ difference for yourself.